Boca Juniors hold Arsenal for a draw

Arsenal's endless summer saga of where Samir Nasri and Cesc Fábregas may ply their trade next paused briefly for a home bow against Diego Maradona's old club before Arsène Wenger, yet again, addressed the issue.

Regarding Nasri, who has a year left on his contract and is interesting Manchester City, Wenger informed him for the first time publicly that he should make a decision. "In the next 10 days it has to be clear on that front. If you ask me, do I want to keep him, I say yes. But he needs to be committed to that as well."

Wenger had included Fábregas in his ultimatum of 10 days, but, pressed on this, he softened the stance. "I don't give them 10 days, the transfer period is until 31 August. Ideally, we go into big games in the next two weeks, so in the next two weeks we need to sort our problems out, but there is no specific deadline of one day or 24 hours."

On Friday, Wenger had stated that, despite Fábregas wanting to leave for Barcelona, he would not be allowed to do so for less than Arsenal's valuation, with the Catalan club so far not returning with an improvement on their £27m bid earlier this summer.

Yet Wenger conceded that Nasri, if he does remain beyond September, could walk away next summer for free. Asked how much of a concern this would be, the manager conceded the point. "It's not ideal for us, of course, on the financial side, but, on the sporting side, he is an important player," Wenger said.

Gervinho's performance in a first-half cameo against Boca had suggested he may prove a vital performer this season. Yet, while the 24-year-old has a directness so chronically missing from these parts recently, Arsenal's concession of a two-goal advantage indicated their old problem of defensive brittleness may yet haunt Wenger's men again.

Once more, Fábregas was not included because of a hamstring problem – he is yet to feature this pre-season and may never again do so – while Nasri lined up in his familiar wide-left berth. This was a starting XI that missed Wojciech Szczesny, Alex Song, Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs from the strongest Wenger might field.

At its head was Gervinho, the £11m signing from Lille whose first telling contribution was to create Robin van Persie's opener. Peeling away from his central attacking position to the left, Gervinho took possession from a clever Jack Wilshere pass before pinging in a cross that Van Persie smashed home.

After the break, the substitute Aaron Ramsey smacked home Arsenal's second with his first touch, but the Gunners' flakiness then showed. A mistake by Sébastien Squillaci too near goal allowed Juan Riquelme to find Lucas Viatri, who pulled the first one back for the visitors.

Next, Johan Djourou let Pablo Mouche mug him, then slide home beyond Vito Mannone. Wenger claimed he was not concerned by the lapse, but he has some hard thinking to do on a few fronts.

Credits to:
http://www.guardian.co.uk

Wenger set to strengthen the defence

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has promised fans he will do all he can to reinforce the club's suspect defence by the end of the current transfer window.

Wenger's backline cost the Gunners on a number of important occasions last season as Arsenal failed in their bid to land a trophy, despite challenging on four fronts at one stage of the season.
Most notable was the mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny in the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham, as well as the stunning meltdown at St James Park which saw Arsenal surrended a 4-0 lead to Newcastle to end up with merely a point.
While Wenger has acknowledged his back four needs bolstering, he has so far failed in his attempts to bring an established defender to the Emirates Stadium.
Everton have already turned down a £10million offer for Phil Jagielka, while Arsenal are yet to make a serious offer for Bolton's Gary Cahill and Blackburn's Christopher Samba, despite expressing interest in the duo.
However, Wenger is confident in his chances of landing one of his targets before the transfer window closes.
"We will have to find one more defender," Wenger said, according to The Sun.
"I can promise we work very hard on it.
"Around Europe you will see little movement as clubs who are selling hold out as long as they can.
"It will speed up in August."
When asked about Arsenal's failed offer for Jagielka, Wenger took a thinly-veiled swipe at Barcelona's pursuit of Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas by stating it was not in his club's nature to unsettle their targets.
"I do no want to do to clubs what some clubs do to us."
One player that has arrived at the Emirates after a long chase is Ivory Coast striker Gervinho, who signed from Lille for a reported £11m.
When asked if Gervinho, who favours the right side of attack, would pose a threat to Theo Walcott's first-team chances, Wenger revealed that the whole Arsenal forward line should be threatened by the new Gunner.
"He is a threat to everybody up front.
"He can play on the right, the left, and through the middle."
It now remains to be seen if Wenger will test Everton's resolve by returning with an improved offer, or try his luck with Cahill and Samba.

Credits to: http://www.espnstar.com/

Arsenal settle for a draw against Greentown

The Gunners were desperately poor at the back in the first half and fell behind to a goal from Sebastian Vazquez after 16 minutes following a mistake from goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
Carlos Vela continued his impressive pre-season campaign when drawing Arsenal level on the stroke of half-time with a finish from close range, and though the Gunners improved markedly after their manager made 11 changes at the break, they were unable to find a winner in China.
Wenger was adamant earlier this week that his side does not have a weakness in defence, despite evidence to the contrary last season, and his players set about attempting to prove him wrong in an error-strewn first-half performance.
Mannone was forced into making a good save after only two minutes as Arsenal's defence was opened up by a ball over the top - a familiar scenario for the North London club in recent seasons - while Armand Traore also struggled at left-back.
After quarter of an hour, the Gunners were once again exposed as Uruguayan forward Paulo Pezzolano exploited uncertainty between the unconvincing Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci when curling a shot against the base of the post.
Inside two minutes, Hangzhou were ahead. Mannone made a terrible mess of a free-kick and after he fumbled the ball in the box, Vazquez pounced amid a stationary Arsenal defence to slot home the opening goal.
Arsenal grew into the contest slowly and saw Samir Nasri - starting despite persistent speculation regarding his future - go close with a neat volley that flew just wide of the post, but chances were few and far between as the Premier League side struggled for fluidity.
On the brink of half-time though, they found an equaliser. Andrei Arshavin looped a pass over the top of the Greentown defence and after Van Persie's cushioned shot was palmed away by Jiang Bo, Vela was alert to bundle the ball home.
Wenger made 11 changes at half-time and the result was a far more cohesive, energetic performance. Indeed, Arsenal nearly took the lead on 55 minutes when a shot from Aaron Ramsey from the edge of the box threatened to squirm away from the keeper and in.
As Arsenal pressed with much more verve, they continued to create chances and just before the hour mark Ryo Miyaichi laid the ball off to Kieran Gibbs, who saw his low drilled effort palmed away expertly by substitute Gu Chao.
Gibbs was a bundle of energy and on 64 minutes it was his run that resulted in Theo Walcott being played in on the right of the box. His initial shot was blocked and Walcott lobbed the follow-up over the bar. His team-mates, Gibbs especially, were unimpressed.
Walcott was his usual frustrating self but on 78 minutes was unlucky not to score when darting in ahead of his man to meet a cross from Miyaichi and head narrowly over the bar.
Miyaichi and Marouane Chamakh both forced Gu into smart saves in the closing minutes but the Gunners were unable to make a winner materialise.

Credits to: http://asia.eurosport.com/

A 4 goal victory for Arsenal in Malaysia

Arsenal recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory over a Malaysia XI in the opening match of their Asia tour at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, where contract rebel Samir Nasri impressed when he came off the bench.
Aaron Ramsey scored from the penalty spot after just five minutes following a foul on Jack Wilshere.
Theo Walcott doubled the Gunners lead before half-time with a well taken lob from Ramsey's through ball.
Mexican Carlos Vela - who had been expected to be sold this summer - made it 3-0 just before the hour with an audacious close-range chip, and fellow substitute Tomas Rosicky nodded in during stoppage time following good work from Andrey Arshavin.
Arsenal will play the second match of their Asia tour in China, facing Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday.
The Gunners were without injured captain Cesc Fabregas, who remained in London to continue fitness work on his troublesome hamstring amid reports of a transfer to Barcelona.
There were first-team debuts for youngsters Ryo Miyaichi, back from a successful loan spell at Feyenoord, and right-back Carl Jenkinson, who signed from Charlton earlier this summer.
Belgian centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, who missed most of last season with a niggling Achilles injury, captained the side, while England international Kieran Gibbs started at left-back with Marouane Chamakh in attack.
Holland striker Robin van Persie and Nasri, linked with a £20million move away from Emirates Stadium, were among the substitutes.
It was a flying start for the Gunners when Wilshere darted into the left side of the penalty area and was tripped by Mohd Aidil Zafuan. Wales international Ramsey coolly dispatched the resulting spot-kick past Malaysia keeper Mohd Nasal Mat Nourdin.
Walcott could have doubled the lead when he darted in from the right, but fired over.
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny had to be alert to divert a looping ball over, before at the other end, Vermaelen's header was just wide.
On 37 minutes, it was 2-0 when Ramsey's perfectly weighted pass put Walcott in behind the defence and the England forward planted a first-time effort over the advancing keeper.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger implemented the expected sweeping changes for the second half, with only Miyaichi, Jenkinson and Ramsey returning.

Young midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong made a welcome return following a season out with a serious knee injury, while both Vela and Denilson were also given a chance to impress despite being linked with summer moves.
Ramsey, now fit following a broken leg, fired over after latching onto a through ball from Vela.
Substitute keeper Vito Mannone - who had a loan spell at Hull - was penalised for timewasting, to concede an indirect free-kick just inside the Arsenal area, which was fired into the wall by Malaysia captain Safiq Rahim.
It was 3-0 on 59 minutes, when Vela, who failed to impress when loaned out to West Brom last season, was played in by Rosicky and finished with an audacious chip over the keeper from six yards.
With 20 minutes left, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd, Wenger sent on van Persie, Nasri and Arshavin.
Arsenal were sweeping forwards, with Nasri seeing plenty of the ball in a 4-3-3 formation.
Vela should have made it 4-0 when he danced around the keeper, but his shot was cleared off the line.
Rosicky had shot over when well placed, but nodded in a fourth during stoppage time after Arshavin had got away down the left and lofted the ball back across goal.

Credits to: http://www.football365.co.za/

Great news for the Arsenal Fans!!!!!

Arsene Wenger gave a great news for the Arsenal fans.


Speaking right after his squad landed in Kuala Lumpur for their Far East tour, the Gunners boss:

• Confirmed Nasri will stay at Arsenal next season despite strong interest from both Manchester United and City.

• Insisted he is still trying to convince wantaway skipper Fabregas to snub a move to boyhood club Barcelona.

• Revealed new £11.5million Arsenal star Gervinho has started training at London Colney after completing his move from Lille.

• Admitted both Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia are on the verge of quitting the Emirates.

The Arsenal boss insisted that Nasri — who has only got one year left on his contract — will stay at the club regardless of whether he extends his deal.

Wenger said: "Will he be at the club this season? I say yes. Will he sign a new contract? I hope yes but I'm not the only one to decide that.


"There is always speculation when a player has only one contract year to go and has not signed a new contract that he might leave the club.

"But Samir Nasri is very happy at the club and is committed to staying at the club."
Speaking about Fabregas' future, Wenger added: "Yes, I am convinced Cesc will stay.
"It is as simple as that. I never speak about what's happening behind closed doors. Cesc loves the club and hopefully we'll manage.
"We know that this story for Barcelona goes on for years now and we have to close that and for ourselves to focus on the season hopefully with Cesc Fabregas.
"It's given too many headlines to newspapers for too much time, I think it's enough."
With Fulham, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon interested in Bendtner and Atletico Madrid and Malaga leading the chase for Almunia, Wenger admitted their exits are only a matter of time.
He added: "Both are possible departures, they are talking to other clubs at the moment."
And on new Ivory Coast hitman Gervinho, Wenger said: "He has joined training today at London Colney, he has come back from holiday and signed.
"He had a medical on Thursday but we sent him back home because he has a family with children. It was so he has time to sort things out for two days.
"He came back yesterday and starts his fitness programme in London today. He is officially an Arsenal player now.
"But I decided not to take him on the tour because he has had no training sessions."


Credits to: http://www.goal.com/

Nasri seems to be happy at Arsenal

Samir Nasri is seen enjoying the time with his Arsenal team mates while on the coach despite the transfer speculations.
He is included in the 23 men squad for asia tour.

Miyaichi in Arsenal squad for Asia Tour

Arsène Wenger has confirmed that Ryo Miyaichi will be in the Arsenal squad that travels to Asia and says the teenager could force his way into the first team next season.


The Japanese forward turned heads with some impressive performances while on loan at Feyenoord last term and has linked up with his new team-mates at London Colney this week as they kicked off their preparations for the new campaign.


After seeing Miyaichi at close quarters, Wenger says he will include the 18-year-old in the travelling party that leaves for Asia on Sunday.


“He is on the plane because he is quality,” the Frenchman told Arsenal.com. “We want to give him a chance to show his quality and I think everybody will be curious to see him play in Asia.


“I rate him personally [and] it’s a good opportunity for him to show that he has the talent to play for Arsenal Football Club. He has an opportunity to show that [he is good enough for the first team].


“He has done extremely well at Feyenoord and we have so many good reports. It will be interesting to see him play.”

Source: http://www.arsenal.com/

Wenger: 'I'll fight to keep Cesc and Nasri'

Arsène Wenger has vowed to fight as hard as he can to keep Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri at Arsenal.

Both midfielders have been linked with moves away from Emirates Stadium during the summer but, speaking exclusively to Arsenal Player on Friday afternoon, the manager re-affirmed his desire to retain their services.

“Our position is always the same, we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him,” said Wenger.

“Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him.”

Nasri is expected to travel with the squad this weekend as Arsenal fly out to Malaysia at the start of their tour of Asia however Fabregas has a muscular injury and is likely to be left behind.

Emmanuel Eboue (calf) is an injury doubt.

“We will take the strongest possible squad,” said Wenger. “Fabregas will not travel because he still has a small muscular problem. He will stay and practice here. There is a doubt about Eboue who has done his calf.”

Source: http://www.arsenal.com/

'We are working long nights to sign players'-Arsene Wenger

Arsène Wenger says he is working “long nights” to bring the right players to Arsenal.

The manager says he understands the impatience from the fans to see new arrivals at Emirates Stadium but, as ever, he is waiting for his moment.

Wenger confirmed that striker Gervinho is close to completing his move to the Gunners from Lille. And the 61-year-old is doing all he can to add “one or two” more players to the Arsenal ranks.

“We are working very hard on it,” he told Arsenal.com. “For me, the best thing is not to talk too much about it. The more you speak about things, the less chance you have to achieve them. The only thing that I can promise you is that we will work very hard and we have had some long nights to achieve what we want to achieve.

“I can understand [the impatience among the fans]. Believe me, I know all the clubs in the world and everybody needs the same players for the same positions. If there were an obvious choice, people would have already made their decisions. We are at the top level and therefore need exceptional quality to strengthen our side. I can understand that people say ‘you have money, just go out and buy’. But it’s not only that, we want to find the quality we need.  

“I have said many times that we were very close to winning things last season, despite the disappointment we had at the end. I hope that provokes a response from my players. We were so close this time we want to come back and achieve it.

“My responsibility is first of all not to lose players and then to add and make us stronger.

“Let’s hope we can bring in one or two more additions of top quality

Source: http://www.arsenal.com/

Arsenal to bid £27 million for Benzema

A bid of £27million would smash the Arsenal transfer record, which currently stands at the £14million paid f

The Gunners boss is looking to the Real Madrid striker in a bid to offset the expected loss of captain Cesc Fabregas and influential playmaker Samir Nasri this summer

Wenger is looking to the French international to improve his side's lacklustre strikeforce and he will be hoping he can form a dangerous partnership with Robin van Persie.
As well as the goal threat posed by Benzema, his signing will also reduce the clamour from Arsenal fans to start spending some of the club's undoubted wealth.
Wenger's side, which has been trophy-less for six seasons, has been criticised by fans and pundits alike for playing good football, but falling at the last hurdle, when the pressure mounts.

Should Benzema sign on the dotted line, he will be Arsenal's second attacking signing of the transfer window, as Lille striker Gervinho passed a medical at the Emirates on Wednesday, and is expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player later this week.

The transfer rumour mill is also linking Arsenal with a £25m bid for Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Credits to: http://www.metro.co.uk/

Manchester City signs Gael Clichy

Gael Clichy has completed his move to Manchester City, after successfully passing a medical and agreeing personal terms to seal his move north from Arsenal.

It has been suggested City would be paying £7million for the full-back, who is Roberto Mancini's first summer signing.
Although Arsene Wenger was keen to keep his fellow Frenchman, with Clichy about to enter the final year of his contract, having indicated he was not willing to agree an extension, Arsenal had little option but to cash in.

Arsenal linked with Wolves striker

It is been reported that Arsenal are linked with Wolves striker Kevin Dolye for a  £12million move to the Emirates.
Kevin Doyle can provide Wenger with very good attacking choices with the likeliness of Robin Van Persie and Gervinho.

Nasri set for talks with Arsenal about future

According to reports Arsene Wenger will hold talks with Nasri tommorow about his future.Arsenal are yet to receive a concrete offer for the France international who has entered the final 12 months of his contract and has indicated he will not sign a new five-year deal worth around £90,000 a week.
The 24-year-old is aware that Manchester United are expected to formalise their interest in him, while both Manchester City and Chelsea are monitoring the situation in the event that their pursuits of priority targets do not come to fruition.
Nasri, a £15.8m signing from Marseille in 2008, is not due to return to London Colney until Thursday having been granted a few extra days' holiday, as have those other Arsenal players who were involved in international duty at the start of the summer. The midfielder, who has not won anything since moving to the club, was quoted over the weekend claiming his motivation is far from financial and, instead, centres upon a desire to win things.
"I don't want to sign for a club where I wouldn't be playing the football that I like, where I wouldn't feel happy, just for the money," he said. "We already earn huge wages. The priority is to make a big career and to win titles. This is more important than everything else."

Credits to http://www.guardian.co.uk/

When will Nasri Fabregas transfer saga end...?

Now its almost like a daily routine for the media to publish about the transfer rumours linking with the two stars of the Arsenal football club..Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
Barcelona are coming to approach the Arsenal skipper with a never ending thirst...There are reports that Real Madrid is ready to offer 45million euros for Cesc Fabregas.
And it is our main rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are chasing our star player Samir Nasri.
But today AS Roma told that Nasri will be sold only for around 28 million euros by the club and not less than that amount.
So when is this Tranfer saga gonna come to an end...??
Lets hope that both of them stays with the club as both of them are equally important inorder to raise a silverware next season..
As our emerging young player Jack Wilshere hopes for the trio to stay including Gael Clichy...but Clichy is almost sure to go to Manchester City...so we can hope that two of our star players will be there with us.

Written by
Arun for Arsenal FC

Comments are highly appreciated

Wilshere hopes Arsenal trio to stay

Jack Wilshere is desperate for Arsenal to keep hold of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas.

Manchester City are understood to be closing in on a deal for left-back Clichy and are also reportedly interested in Nasri, who had previously been linked with Manchester United.

Fabregas' future also remains the subject of intense speculation as stories continue to circulate regarding a move back to boyhood club Barcelona.

Midfielder Wilshere is not sure what will happen but is due to report back for pre-season training this weekend and hopes all three players will carry on at Emirates Stadium.
"Obviously we want them to stay," he told Sky Sports News.
"They are part of Arsenal and big players for the club so we want them to stay, but we will see.
"I am going back for pre-season tomorrow and we will see."

Arsenal still chasing Barton

Joey Barton is still being considered by Arsenal Football Club.

The England international cap enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last term, when he inspired Newcastle United to a comfortable Premier League finish.

Barton, though, has just twelve months left on his contract at St James Park, and it is believed the Magpies are willing to cash in on the 28-year-old.

The former Manchester City ace was linked with as shock move to the Gunners last month, but the speculation soon died down as no approach was made.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the midfielder is still an option for Arsene Wenger, who is said to be considering a move for the £4million-rated player.

John O’Shea or Gary Cahill to Arsenal..?

 
The Gunners are considering a surprise move for Manchester United’s John O’Shea as they seek defensive cover for Clichy, the Daily Mirror reported.
Bolton’s Gary Cahill remains Arsenal’s top target, though it is not yet clear if manager Arsene Wenger will pay the 17 million-pound fee, the Mirror said. O’Shea, 30, has been told that he can leave United after 12 years, the newspaper added.

Arsenal signs Lille Striker Gervinho for $17.6 Million

Arsenal has signed Ivory Coast striker Gervinho from French club Lille for 11 million pounds ($17.6 million), . Gervinho, who has agreed to a four- year contract worth 60,000 pounds a week, will come to the emirates on July 4 when he returns from vacation.
To the 'Sun' newspaper  he said
“I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily,” the Sun cited Gervinho, 24, as saying. “I could develop more over there. There’s only a few details left to sort out.”

Gervinho is now 99% Arsenal player

Finally we have some good news to wake up to this morning (Friday). 1 July is the official start of the transfer season as players contracts expire on this day. Now Gervinho is virtually 99% an Arsenal player as he has admitted he has chosen to join the Gunners after turning down offers from other clubs.
Gervinho spoke to France Football and he said: “I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily. I could develop more over there. There’s only a few details left to sort out.
“A risk? Not at all. I’m going to Arsenal to play. The best risk to take is to look to score goals and to play a lot.
“In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I’m going to Arsenal to win.”
“I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there’s always a period of analysis and negotiations.
“All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly.
“I’m going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game. And I love teams that love the game.
“The Premier League is a notch above. It’s maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation.”
Now it is just a matter of working out the formalities with this transfer and hopefully Gervinho will be reporting to pre-season training on 7 July with the rest of the Arsenal team.